Poland 2026: Golden Boot Race Heats Up as Nigeria’s Ramotalahi, Winner David Hit Hat-Tricks
The race for the adidas Golden Boot at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 has intensified, with Nigeria’s Ramotalahi Kareem and Winner Onajite David joining the leading goalscorers after both players netted hat-tricks in the Falconets’ 10–1 demolition of New Caledonia.
Kareem scored three times, while substitute David also completed a hat-trick as Nigeria finally found their scoring touch after failing to score in their opening two Group F matches against Spain and China PR.
The spectacular haul has moved the two Nigerians into the Golden Boot conversation, although they still have ground to make up on the players currently leading the scoring charts.
Golden Boot race at a glance
5 goals
Annika Paz – Argentina
4 goals
Rachel Maltby – England
Celia Segura – Spain
3 goals
Annabelle Chukwu – Canada
Ramotalahi Kareem – Nigeria
Winner Onajite David – Nigeria
Zuzanna Grzywińska – Poland
Huang Jiaxin – China PR
Marisa GarcÃa – Spain
Romaine Gandonou – Benin
Paz currently holds the outright lead on five goals, while England defender Rachel Maltby and Spain’s Celia Segura are immediately behind her on four. FIFA has also highlighted Maltby’s goalscoring exploits during the tournament.
Kareem and David are therefore two goals behind the Golden Boot leader and one goal behind the second-placed scorers.
For Kareem, the hat-trick against New Caledonia was particularly significant. She opened the scoring from the penalty spot before adding a second in the 27th minute and completing her treble in the second half. David then produced her own three-goal burst, scoring in the 60th and 75th minutes before completing the hat-trick in stoppage time.
Their surge could become even more important in the knockout phase. Nigeria have secured a place in the Round of 16, where they will face England, meaning Kareem and David will have an opportunity to close the gap on the leaders when the Golden Boot contenders meet in the business end of the tournament.
With the leading scorers separated by only two goals, the race remains wide open. Paz has the advantage for now, but the Nigerian duo have arrived at the perfect time and could yet turn their spectacular New Caledonia performance into a serious Golden Boot challenge.
The battle for the adidas Golden Boot is now entering its decisive stage — and Nigeria have two names firmly in the conversation.
